For most of Sunday’s game between San Diego and Tennessee, the Chargers looked dead in the water – not a good place to be, especially when your team has lightning bolts on its helmets.
After an uneventful first half that saw the Titans leading 3-0 at the intermission, the Chargers’ tied the game early in the third quarter. But after forcing a Tennessee punt, San Diego quarterback David Rivers was intercepted on the ensuing drive, and the Titans were in business following a 32-yard return. Tennessee quickly took advantage, moving 19 yards in four plays to take a 10-3 lead.
After the pick, Rivers went to the sidelines and took a seat on the bench next to star running back LaDainian Tomlinson. As soon as Rivers sat down, however, LT rose up quickly and stormed off, refusing to sit next to his quarterback. Tomlinson was visibly upset, and we’ll never know to what extent, but I will say this – I’ll bet LT was seriously considering taking Rivers off of his Christmas card list.
San Diego punted on its next possession and Tennessee drove 58 yards for another touchdown, and with 14:21 left in regulation, the Chargers were down 14 points and hadn’t scored more than a field goal all day.
Rivers responded with a big pass play, however, and San Diego moved quickly to the Tennessee 21-yard line, but two sacks and an incomplete pass later, the Chargers’ punter was back on the field, booting the ball away on a fourth-and-29 from the 40.
The Titans were unable to muster any offense, however, and punted back to San Diego, and this time, Rivers delivered, guiding a touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard pass to his good buddy Tomlinson, and the lead was cut to seven with just more than seven minutes to go.
Tennessee erased five of those minutes, though, gaining a few first downs, but punted back to the Chargers with 2:24 remaining. San Diego had one more shot to force overtime.
Rivers, apparently getting Tomlinson’s subtle hint earlier, started the drive with three consecutive passes – all to LT. However, the first two were short gains and Tomlinson stepped out of bounds before catching the third, so the Chargers faced a fourth down and 5 deep in their own territory. Rivers found Chris Chambers for a 19-yard gain that was upheld by the replay booth, and the Chargers marched downfield, scoring the tying touchdown with nine seconds left.
San Diego won the toss in overtime, and after each team punted once, the Chargers drove down for the winning score, a 16-yard run by LT in OT for the game-winner.
The loss crippled the Titans’ playoff hopes and may have saved the Chargers season. After the game, LT and Rivers downplayed the bench incident. Maybe Rivers will get that Christmas card after all.
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The celebrity picks:
Lance Burton, Monte Carlo headliner
(23-17-2)
Packers –9 1/2 at Rams
Colts –10 1/2 at Raiders
Vikings –10 vs. Bears
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Anthony Crivello, star of "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular"
(22-17-3)
Ravens –3 at Dolphins
Packers –9 1/2 at Rams
Seahawks –7 at Panthers
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Danny Gans, Mirage headliner
(21-19-2)
Steelers –3 1/2 vs. Jaguars
Patriots –24 vs. Jets
Raiders +10 1/2 vs. Colts
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Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas
(24-17-1)
Packers -9 1/2 at Rams
Seahawks –7 at Panthers
Vikings –10 vs. Bears
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Hans Klok, Planet Hollywood headliner
(19-21-2)
Cowboys –10 1/2 vs. Eagles
Steelers –3 1/2 vs. Jaguars
Packers –9 1/2 at Rams
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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas"
(16-22-4)
Seahawks –7 at Panthers
Titans –4 vs. Chiefs
Giants -5 vs. Redskins
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Penn & Teller, Rio headliners
(24-17-1)
Giants –5 vs. Redskins
Patriots –24 vs. Jets
Eagles +10 1/2 at Cowboys
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Rita Rudner, Harrah's headliner
(25-16-1)
Browns –6 vs. Bills
Vikings –10 vs. Bears
Jets +24 at Patriots